Notice: Effective November 17, 2011, the Board of Adjustment (BOA) will be meeting at 6:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month and the City Council will be meeting at 6:05 p.m. on the second Wednesday (or immediately following the BOA Meeting) and at 6:00 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
All residents and commercial property owners should soon receive the December 2011 City newsletter (Click here to see the newsletter). If you do not receive the newsletter by December 9th, please contact Mark Littrell at (512) 327-3628 or pzsec@westlakehills.org.
NOTICE TO WASTEWATER CUSTOMERS
Want to Lower Your Wastewater Bill? Here’s How…
New winter water averaging definition. The City of Austin approved a revised definition of winter water averaging effective November 2011 that supersedes the West Lake Hills ordinance. Winter water averaging will be based on a three-month period between November 15, 2011 – March 15, 2012. This means your winter average will be based on water usage measured in January, February and March. Remember that January water usage includes some December usage. Conserve water December 1 through March 15 to keep your wastewater bill lower.
Your consumption charge is set once a year based on your winter water average. The Consumption charge for Residential customers is calculated using “winter water averaging,” a standard method to estimate wastewater consumption over an entire year. By measuring the average water usage based on metered usage in January, February and March – three months when there is less landscape irrigation – we’re able to estimate the total amount of domestic (non-irrigation) water that is used by a household. Since that domestic water ultimately ends up in the City’s wastewater system, winter water averaging is the best method for determining how much wastewater each household produces. Therefore, your wastewater bill is based on that winter average for the next 12 months.
The City recalculates the wastewater consumption charge for each household each year in April based on average water usage during the three winter months. Customers’ bills reflect the consumption charge based on the new winter water average starting in May each year and continuing for the next 12 months.
So if you want to reduce your wastewater bill for an entire year, fix leaks, turn off your irrigation system and conserve water from December 1 through March 15. Keep in mind that water meters are read on different days throughout the City. The date your water meter is read is noted on your water bill.
Commercial customers are billed either on the winter water average or their actual monthly water use if they have a separate irrigation meter. If you use a lot of water for irrigation, you may want to consider installing a separate irrigation meter. Contact your water utility (Travis County Water Control & Improvement District 10 or Ridgewood Village Water System) for more information.
What if I have a water leak or other situation which artificially increases my winter water usage? Can I get my winter water average adjusted? Yes, if you send a letter or email to the Wastewater Project Coordinator (rjdavis@westlakehills.org) with documentation showing the usual winter water usage and an explanation of the circumstances for the unusually high winter water usage, the City may approve an adjustment in the winter water average. We may require additional documentation – for instance, from a plumber or irrigation company – if there was a leak that artificially increased your usage during the winter months.
Wastewater Collection System.
The City is actively pursuing the purchase of its wastewater collection system from the LCRA. Multiple efforts are underway, including interactions with the LCRA, active membership in the Coalition of Central Texas Utilities Development Corporation, and discussions with other interested entities.
- Posting Notice: The Board of Directors of the Coalition of Central Texas Utilities Development Corporation will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
- Posting Notice: The Board of Directors of the Coalition of Central Texas Utilities Development Corporation will be holding a meeting on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
Citizen Update: The West Lake Hills City Council has released the results of an independent appraisal of the City’s wastewater collection system, currently up for sale by the LCRA. For a copy of the appraisal report, please click here.
Sixth Annual Fourth of July Parade
Our 6th Annual Fourth of July Parade was a huge success!
Several hundred people joined the mile-long parade, including special guests State Senator Kirk Watson and State Representative Donna Howard. The Westlake Fire Department and the West Lake Hills Police Department joined the parade again this year. Local eatery Texas Honey Ham Company served up hundreds of breakfast tacos, Randall’s provided cold bottled water and Amy’s Ice Cream served up countless scoops of ice cream. New sponsor The Texas Running Company 
helped coordinate the ONE RUN – the City’s first-ever one mile fun run with proceeds benefitting local charity Mobile Loaves and Fishes. Special thanks to event organizers Dave & Judy French and their company, Fun & Done Events for organizing this great celebration again this year. To see pictures from the event, click here. For race results, click here.
